Disconnecting switch mechanism



Sept. 28, 1937. R. wlLKlNs 2,094,087

DISCONN'EGTING SWITCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. l1, 1935 m im URN/EY Sept. 28, 1937. R, wlLKlNS 2,094,087

DISCONNECTING SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Nov. 11, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N V EN 7:0R.

' TTORNEY Patented Sept. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISCONNECTING SWITCH MECHANISM Roy Wilkins, San Francisco, Calif., assigner t K. P. F. Electric Company, San Francisco, Calif.

Application November 11, 1935, Serial No. 49,124

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-48) The present invention relates to high tension For a vbetter understanding of the invention disconnecting switches, and more particularly to reference should be had to the following descripan improved operating mechanism for such a tion taken in connection with the accompanying switch which will give a maximum of switch drawings, wherein there is shown by way of illusarm movement with a minimum of operator tration and not of limitation, a preferred embodimovement in a positive and effective manner. ment thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide an In the drawings; eiiicient switch and operating means which is Figure 1 is a side view of a single switch unit adapted to use in connection with either single having an operating means constructed in aclo or multiphase circuits where it is necessary to cordance with a preferred embodiment of the insectionalize a power transmission line or to open vention,

or close a branch circuit at the point of inter- Figure 2 is a front view of the switch unit section with the main line, or for the protection shown in Figure l of the drawings, and of any other electrical equipment that may be Figures 3, 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views with l5 operated from electrical high voltage transmisparts broken away to more fully disclose the del5 sion lines, tails of the switch operating mechanism. Of

Another object of the invention is to provide a these latter figures of the drawings, Figure 3 relatively inexpensive and effective switch which shows the position of the mechanism when the is particularly adapted to high tension transmisswitch is in its closed condition, Figure 4 shows sion circuits and power systems for simultanethe position in the mechanism when the switch 20 ously opening and closing a plurality of lines by is in its half-opened condition and Figure 5 shows means of a single operating means. the position of the mechanism when the switch Another and specific object of the present inis in its fully opened condition. vention is to provide an operating means for a The switch shown in the drawings for the purrotatable switch blade which is capable of impose of illustrating the present invention, ex-

parting a 180 movement to a switch blade from cept for the operating means employed, is suban operating member having a rotation of only stantially similar to the switch units illustrated 90g and described in my copending application for Another object of the invention is to provide Letters Patent, Serial Number 46,973, led Ocan operating means for a double bladed discontober 28, 1935, and entitled High tension discon- 30 necting switch which will impart a 180 movenecting switch.

ment to each of the switch blades and thereby In the drawings, only one switch unit is illusproduce among other advantages a maximum of trated. It is to be understood, however, that any separation between the switch contacts. number of these switch units may be arranged Another object of the invention is to providea side by side and simultaneously operated, as 35 switch blade operating means which is capable will hreinafter appear, to control any numberv of imparting a 180 rotation to the switch blade of lines of a multiphase power distribution syswithout resort to gears or a rack and gear artem. The switch unit is shown as mounted upon 10 rangement. a suitable structural iron frame Ill that may 40 Another object of the invention is to provide be attached, as shown, to the side wall of a a straight line operating mechanism for a plubuilding or mounted in a horizontal position upon rality of disconnecting switches such as are used the roof of a building. The unit is also adapted on multiphase power systems in which moveto be mounted either with or without the frame ment is imparted to the rotatable switch blade lil upon the side or top of a structural steel tower 45 supporting insulators in a positive manner by a such as is commonly provided for supporting high link arrangement extending from each supporttension transmission lines and associated switching insulator to a common operating means moving equipment. able in a straight line transverse to the switch In the drawings, the frame I0 is shown as havblades when in their normal closed positions. ing rotatable insulator stands Il and l2 mounted 0 With the above, and other objects which will in spaced relation, and as having cooperating appear as the description proceeds, the invention switch arms I3 and I4 mounted respectively resides in the construction, combination and arthereupon. The insulator stands H and I2 may rangement of parts, substantially as will be herelbe of any preferred construction, and they are inafter described and more particularly defined mounted upon bearings so that they may turn by the appended claims'. Vabout their axis through 'an arc of substantially 180. In the drawings, the insulator stands II and I2 are shown as forming one leg of a tripod insulator arrangement, such as has been illustrated and described in my aforementioned copending application for patent. The switch arms I3 and I4 are preferably mounted so that they extend at a right angle to the axis of rotation of their respective supporting insulator stands and they are of such a length that their ends may be moved into and out of circuit making engagement when the insulator stands are rotated in opposite directions. The ends of the switch arms I3 and I4 can be provided with any suitable form of contact making means which will provide a good electrical circuit through the switch when the switch arms are moved into engaging alignment. In the drawings, the switch arms I3 and I4 are shown respectively as having cooperating contact making members I5 and I6 of the type described and claimed in my copending application.

As a means to impart rotation to the insulator stands and I2 and a consequent opening and closing ofthe circuit controlled by the switch arms I3 and I4,Y the insulator stands II and I 2 are respectively provided with radially and outwardly extending crank arms I`| and I8. These crank arms and I8 are preferably secured at the supported end of the insulator stands I I and I2 and are thus insulated from the power circuit and the switch arms at the insulated end of the insulator stands. Mounted adjacent the insulator stand II and at an inwardly spaced point, there is a bell crank arm I9 which is journaled to rotate about an axis extending substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the insulator stand II, and at a similar inwardly spaced position with respect to the insulator stand I2 there is a second bell crank which is adapted to rotate about an axis extending substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the insulator stand I2. These bell cranks I9 and 20 and their mode of operation `are to beA described in greater detail hereinafter. It will be sufficient to here state that they each have a long and a short arm which extend at an angle to each other. The long arm of the bell crank I9 is connected to the crank I1 of the rotatable insulator stand II by means of a link 2 I, and the long arm of the bell crank 20 is connected to the crank I8 of the rotatable insulator stand I2 by means of a similar link22, The short arms of the bell cranks I9 and 28 are then iconnected together by means of anadditional link 23 which serves to transmit rotary movement fromone bell crank to the other in a direction which will impart an opposite rotation to the rotatable insulator stands I I and I2 when either of `said bell cranks I9 or 20 is rotated about its axis. As va means for imparting rotation to the bell cranks and producingV an operation of the switch, the bell crank I9r is shown as having a transversely extending cross arm 24 to the ends of Ywhich suitable straight line operating rods 25 and 26 are attached.

Before continuing the description of the invention with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, it should be pointed out that the rotatable insulator stands IIr and I2, with their diagonally disposed bracing insulator stands designated respectively by the numeralsv 21 and 28, provideinsulated and rotatable switch arm supporting members 29 and 30. With this arrangement it will be understood that when the insu- ,latorstands II and I2 are "rotated in opposite directions, the switch arms I3 `and I4, .withtheir contacts I5 and I6, will swing into Vand out of engagement and through arcs having their centers at the axis of their respective rotatable insulator stands. This mode of operation of the switch arms is in accordance with the standard practice, but unlike all prior switches of this character, the present arrangement provides for a movement of each of the switch arms and their respective contacts through an arc of 180 by means of an operating member which rotates through an arc of only 90.

Reference is now made to Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings. In these gures of the drawings, the insulators and the switch arm supporting members 29 and 30 at the ends thereof have been omitted in order to expose the underlying linkage of the operating mechanism, and the switch arms I3 and I4, with their contacts I5 and I8, are shown in the relative positions assumed thereby when the linkage mechanism is in the positions illustrated. The cross-sectioned shafts, designated by the numerals 3| and 32, are to be understood to be the metallic bearing forming extensions which are provided at the lower ends ofthe rotatable insulator stands I I and I2. These bearing forming extensions 3| and 32 are respectively journaled in bearings 33 and 34 mounted upon cross channels 35 and 36 carried by the frame |87.V In inwardly vspaced relation with respect to the cross channels 35 and 36, the frame I0 also carries channel members 3l and 38v upon which the crank arms I9 and 29 are respectively journaled by means of bearings 39 and 40. The bearings 39 and 4U are positioned slightly to one side of the center line of the insulator stands |I and I2 so that one arm of each of the bell cranks I 9 and 20 may extend along one side of the bearing extensions 3| and 32. When the switch arms I3 and I4 are in their circuit closing position, a long arm of the bell cranks I9 and 20, respectively designated by the numerals 4| and 42, will extend tangent to and outwardly beyond the centers of the adjacent insulator stands and at substantially a right angle yto the crank arms I'l and |8 carried respectively by the insulator stands |I and I2. This will provide for a diagonal disposition of the links 2| and 22. The relative lengths of the crank arms and I8 upon the insulator stands, and the long arms 4I and 42 of the bell cranks, are such that the long arms 4| and 42 of the bell cranks I9 and 20 will, in rotating through an arc of 90, move a linear distance which is equal to that traveled by the free ends of the crank arms and |8 in rotating through an arc of 180. This proportion in the lengths of the crank armsI 1 and I 8,and the long arms of the bell cranks I9 and 20 and the disposition of the links 2| and 22 connected therebetween, produces a 180 rotation of the insulator stands II and I2 when the bell cranks |9 and 20 are rotated through an arc of only 90. In order to provide against a dead center condition in the linkage mechanism, the short arms of the bell cranks I9 and 2|), designated by the numerals 43 and 44,

are disposed at different angles with respect to the long arms 4| and 42 of their respective bell cranks. This angular disposition of the arms of the bell cranks is clearly illustrated in the figures of the drawings now under consideration.' The operation of the switch is as follows:

When an operating force is exerted upon the operating rods 25 and 26, the cross arm 24 which crank arm I1 and produce a clockwise rotation of the insulator stand II.

the direction indicated by arrows upon Figure 3 of the drawings. As the bell crank I9 is thus rotated, the short arm 43 thereof will exert an operating force through the link 23 and rotate the bell crank 20 in a counterclockwise direction. As the bell crank 20 is thus rotated, a pulling force will be exerted through the link 22 at the end of the crank larm I8 and produce a counterclockwise rotation of the insulator stand I2 and cause the switch arm I 4 to move outwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow adjacent thereto. As the operating forces are continued to be applied to the cross arm 24, the bell cranks I9 and 20 will be rotated through the position illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings, and into the final open position illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

Upon comparing the positions of the linkage mechanism in Figure 3 of the drawings with the position of this mechanism in Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be noted that the crank arms I'I and I8 upon the insulator stands II and I2 have moved through an arc of 180, whereas the long arms 4I and 42 of the bell cranks IS and 20 will have moved through an arc of only It will be also noted that when the switches are fully opened, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, the switch arms I3 and I4 will project in opposite directions, and as a result the contacts I5 and I6 carried at the ends thereof, will be separated from each other with a maximum of separation, and into such a position that 'there will be no danger of a ashover over to an adjacent power line, such as would be the case if the switch arms I3 and I4 only rotated into the position illustrated in Figure 4, as is the usual condition where prior art switches of this character are used on a multiphase power system.

When a number of switch units of the character herein described are used on a multiphase power distribution system, it is to be understood that the switches can be disposed side by side so that the operating rods 25 and 2B can be connected to the cross arms 24, which will be provided upon each of the bell cranks I9 of the 'separate switch units, and as a result it will be possible to simultaneously operate any number of the switch units by means of a single operator.

It is to be also understood that the present invention is not limited to switch units having a plurality of rotatable and insulating switch arm supports. The invention is also applicable to switches in which a single switch arm is used in conjunction with a stationary cooperating contact. To be more explicit, it is conceivable that the switch arm I4 of the switch unit described,

may be omitted and a stationary contact substituted therefor. In such an arrangement the switch arm I3 may or may not be lengthened, and its operating mechanism will be substantially similar to that illustrated and described above, except that the short arm 43 of the bell crank I9 and the link 23 will be omitted therefrom.

Another variation which is permissible with the arrangement shown, is that the operating rods 25 and 26 may be attached to the bell crank 20 rather than to the bell crank I9, as shown. It will also be understood that the operating forces may be applied to the switch operating mechanism by means of either one of the rods 25 and 25 without resort to the other.

While I have, for the sake of clearness and in This rotation of the insulator stand I I- willl move the switch arm I3 in"y order Vto disclose the invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specic devices and arrangements, Irdesire to have it understood that vthis invention is not limited to the specic means disclosed, but may be embodied in other ways that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is new and it is desired to lclaim it so that all such changes as come Within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this invention.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent isl. A disconnectingswitch, the combination of a pair of rotatable insulator stands having their axes arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation, switch arms supported by said insulator stands extending therefrom and adapted to cooperate with each other, crank arms connected with said insulator stands and projecting at an angle to said switch arms, a bell crank pivotally mounted adjacent each of said insulator stands, a link connecting the end of each of said crank arms with an arm of the adjacent bell crank, means for imparting rotation to one of said bell cranks, and a single link connected between and connecting the other arms of said bell cranks, whereby each of said switch arms will be rotated through an arc of substantially as said bell cranks are rotated through an arc of substantially 90.

2. A disconnecting switch, the combination of a pair of rotatable insulator stands having their axes arranged in spaced substantially parallel relation, switch arms supported by said insulator stands extending therefrom toward each other, crank arms connected with said insulator stands and projecting at a right angle to said switch arms, bell cranks pivotally mounted adjacent each of said insulator stands, said bell cranks being rotatable about axes extending parallel with the axes of said insulator stands and having a long and a short arm, a link connecting the free end of each of said crank arms with the long arm of the adjacent bell crank, means for imparting rotation to one of said bell cranks, and a single link extending between and connecting the short arms of said bell cranks, whereby each of said switch arms will be rotated through an arc of substantially 180 as said bell cranks are simultaneously rotated through an arc of substantially 90.

3. In a multipole disconnecting switch for high tension lines, the combination of a plurality of pairs of spaced switch arm supporting insulators, cooperating switch arms upon the insulated ends of each of said insulators adapted to rotate into engagement with each other when in a circuit closing position, a crank arm extending outwardly from the axis of each of said insulators, a bell crank mounted adjacent each of said switch blade supporting insulators rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel with the axis of the adjacent insulator, a link connecting the crank arm upon each of said insulators with an arm of the bell crank adjacent thereto, means for simultaneously imparting rotation to one of the bell cranks of each pair of insulators, and a single link connected between the other arm of the bell cranks of each pair of insulators, whereby one insulator of each pair will rotate in one direction in unison with a corresponding insulator of the other pairs and the other insulators of each pair will rotate in unison in a reverse direction as said means is operated to impart rotation to one of the bell cranks of each pair of insulators.

4. In a multipole disconnecting switch for high tension lines, the combination of a plurality of pairs of spaced switch arm supporting insulators, cooperating switch arms upon the insulated ends of each of said insulators adapted to rotate into engagement with each other when in one position and project away from each other when in another position, a crank arm extending outwardly from the axis of each of said insulators and at an angle to the switch arms carried thereby, a bell crank having a long and a short arm mounted adjacent each of said switch blade supporting insulators and rotatable about an axis extending substantially parallel With the axis of its adjacent insulator, a. link connecting the crank arm upon each of said insulators with the long'arm of the bell crank adjacent thereto, means for simultaneously imparting rotation to one of the crank arms'of each pair of insulators, and a single link connected between the short arms of the bell cranks of each pair of insulators, whereby one insulator of each pair will rotate in one direction in unison with a corresponding insulator of the other pairs and the other insulators of each pair will rotate in unison in a reverse direction as said means is operated to impart rotation to one of the bell cranks of each pair of insulators.

ROY WILKINS. 

